TT 2022: French Sidecar passenger Olivier Lavorel killed following crash | Driver César Chanal in 'critical' condition

Olivier Lavorel, 35, died following the incident at Ago's Leap on the opening lap of the scheduled three-lap race. The race was red-flagged and later abandoned. The driver, César Chanal, is in a critical condition.

A statement on Saturday night said: "The Isle of Man TT Races regrets to confirm that Olivier Lavorel, 35, from Sillingy, France was killed in an incident during the first Sidecar Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races. The accident occurred at Ago’s Leap, just under 1 mile into the Course, on the opening lap of the race.

"Olivier was competing in his first TT as a passenger to César Chanal. César was taken to Noble’s Hospital by road and airlifted to Aintree Hospital in a critical condition.

"Olivier and César were both newcomers at the Isle of Man TT Races and had been elevated from start number 39 to start number 21 after qualifying as the 15th fastest pairing, having posted an impressive lap speed of 108.420mph.

"An experienced pairing, Olivier and César had taken numerous victories and podiums in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships.

"The isle of Man TT Races pass on their deepest sympathy to Olivier’s family, friends and loved ones, and our thoughts and best wishes are with César at this time."

Saturday's tragedy is the second fatal accident of the 2022 TT Races after Welsh rider Mark Purslow died following a crash in qualifying at Ballagarey.